May | 2020 | Mission Servants Ministry

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the Children’s ministries in Kenya and Uganda supported by MSM.

Earlier this week the President of Uganda updated the Covid19 plan in effect. The widespread shutdown of transportation, borders, churches, schools, and other gatherings is still in place. The major change is for schools to open on a limited basis on June 2nd. The limitation is lifted only for the last year of Primary (Elementary) and the last year of High School. This affects some of the kids at Child Redeemed Mission Home. The plan is to bring these kids back to residence at CRM and leave the balance yet with extended family.

The welfare of the kids that are staying outside of CRM is a matter of focus and concern for the staff. In several cases, food supplies are given to the families hosting the kids. All children are contacted regularly by the CRM social workers. This period is a real struggle for the community. Food is scarcer and more costly and the ability to obtain other goods and services are difficult. The good news is that the number of confirmed Covid19 cases in Uganda are very low.

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The kids at CRM are doing great. They are able to study, read, make music, and garden. Many have learned and practiced crafts such as knitting and sewing…..

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…and have helped in a recent project to build a new firewood storage shelter.

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Promise Primary School in Kamuli, Uganda, sponsored by MSM, has been taking advantage of the shutdown to work on the school grounds and buildings. Repairing storm and termite damage for instance. A major project to build a new kitchen has been moving forward and nearing completion to be available when school resumes. I will have a separate post about this soon.

A project alliance between the Lyavo community leaders, Lyavo Bible Church, Bridgeway Hope Academy, and Mission Servants Ministry began in January and a bridge was conceived, designed, and built in time for the new flooding this April. A meeting was held during the January Mission Trip 29 and the idea to love the community with a bridge project was met with great enthusiasm. MSM previously sponsored two other bridges for this community.

It has been a very wet year in Western Kenya going back to mid 2019. Flooding continues to be a problem even recently. Last year, the heaviest used of 3 bridges that allowed people, bicycles and motorbikes to cross a small flooding prone river to get to the school and church, washed away. MSM built the other two above the high flood mark 1/2 and 1 km away from this one. This bridge was a simple log bridge set on the dirt banks of the river.

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The design plan for this bridge was to have the span surface be at least 1 foot above the previous high water mark, massive concrete footers at each end, a mid stream support, long approach ramps that extend past the mud, and use materials that prevent decay for a long lasting solution. The implementation plan was for all labor to be provided by the local community and church and the funds for materials by MSM. Construction expertise was provided by Pastor Ken of the church, a concrete builder by trade. It was completed in 3 months…an incredible job and great example of Community/Ministry Partnership. A bridge, literally and figuratively.

What follows is a series of photos in sequence on how this bridge was built. The cost to MSM to help make this important community loving project happen was less than $2,000. Praise Jesus. Thank you all for your support and prayers.